Florida Keys - by Mile Marker
The following sources were used as a framework for this guide:What are Mile Markers?
Jerry Wilkinson: "Mile Markers (MM) is a relative location of a site in reference to the number of miles north of Key West. The business center of unincorporated Key Largo is at about MM 100; therefore, about 100 miles northeast of Key West. The Florida DOT tries to maintain small rectangular green with white number mile marker signs every mile on both sides of the highway. Generally except Marathon, addresses along the highway is the MM expressed as a four, five or six digit number. For example, a business with an address of 100511 Overseas Highway would located at about MM 100.5. If the extreme right digit (least significant) number is an even number, it is on the west or bayside. If an odd number it is on the east of ocean side. Subtracting two MM's gives the approximate number of miles between two known locations. If the MM's are getting smaller, one is traveling south or southwest. These are listed from north to south. Note: the farther south in the Keys one is, the more east and west the highway runs. Business/commercial location may change or even disappear. This was compiled early 2003. I assume this practice began with Henry Flagler who numbered every mile of railroad beginning at Jacksonville and ending at Key West. They were white and black concrete Mile Post signs along the railroad track and on the printed timetables."Note: Card Sound Road is a good alternate route to the Keys - greener, quieter, slower. There is a $1.00 bridge toll. You can stop at Alabama Jacks (305-248-8741). "Beyond the bridge, on the road through the northern half of Key Largo, I get a glimpse of what the Keys looked like before the highway. It's a rare sight to see....The hardwooods are species with names that evoke their Caribbean origins: sabal palm, humbo limbo, coco plum. Many of thes broad-leaved trees no longer exist elsewhere in the Keys, but here they form dense thickets as sultry as miniature rain forests." From Endless Summer by Bruce Stutz, Conde Nast Traveler, August 2005.
- By Robert Silk Citizen, Key West Citizen, February 2, 2009. "
by David Ball, Florida Keys Keynoter, January 02, 2009. "Islamorada Fire Chief William Wagner said the fire was one of worst in the Keys in 20 years. The blaze apparently started just before 10 p.m. Wednesday at a thatched-roof bar outside the main building, possibly from windblown embers from smoking materials or fireworks."
Articles on the Florida Keys
- By Cindy Price, New York Times, March 14, 2008.
- National Geographic Traveler, January/February 2009. "The strange yet charming amalgam of serene wildlife preserves, outlandish street festivals, literary landmarks, wealthy retirees, and seasoned fishermen (and women) make Key West so unique it can be hard to comprehend."
- By Tom Austin, Travel + Leisure, August, 2011.Key West Restaurants
Key West - Street numbers run up from the harbor to the Atlantic by Mandy Bolen, Key West Citizen, February 3, 2009.
Key West Lodging
Key West Attractions
, by Margaret Menge, Florid Keys Keynoter, December 29, 2008.
Artists and Galleries
Writers Associated with Key West
Transportation
Government, Tourism, News
History
Fishing
- by Jeffrey A. Trchtenberg, Wall Street Journal, October 17, 2008. " A recently restored film featuring a trio of writers fishing for tarpon in Key West in the early 1970s has started to attract attention in literary and fly-fishing circles. The movie, "Tarpon,' features the late poet Richard Brautigan and the novelists Jim Harrison and Thomas McGuane, and includes original music written and performed by Jimmy Buffet."